9:10 PM,
Aug. 23, 2013

Written by

Jeff Gluck
| USA TODAY

In the first two years of NASCAR's wild card rule, the results were decidedly tame.

While the wild card sparked conversation about which drivers would make the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup, the rule ultimately had no impact on the playoff field. In both 2011 and 2012, the 11th- and 12th-place drivers took the two wild card spots (which go to the drivers 11th-20th in points with the most wins).

That meant there was no change from the previous rule, in which the top 12 drivers in the point standings qualified for the Chase (it's now the top 10 plus two wild cards). ...